Ahmed Tahsin Shams

Biography

I’m a Ph.D. student (2023–2028) in Media Arts and Sciences at Indiana University Bloomington, USA. My research interests span ecocriticism and literature, realism and film aesthetics, and performance and visual arts in the Anthropocene. 

My recent critical writings for conference papers or publications under review include “Onto-Ecological Aesthetics and Water’s Artistic Agency in Florentina Holzinger’s Ophelia’s Got Talent”; “Waiting for the Void: Ecology, Entanglement, and Time in Beckett’s Godot”; “Thijs Biersteker’s Screen Eco-Art as Arbo-Real Pedagogy and Publishing”; “Human and Nonhuman Intra-action in Le quattro volte”; “Silence and Soil as Sensory Archives in All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt”; “Abderrahmane Sissako’s Aesthetics of Liminality”; “Ecofeminist Sensorium Mise-en-scène in The Scent of Green Papaya”; “Critiquing the Medium: Eco-Cinema-Pedagogy Reimagined;” and “Nonhuman Archives: Teaching Climate Storytelling Through Absence and Ruins.”

In addition to my academic work, my recent cinematic productions (theatrical transcreations) include Arshinagar (English title: Reflection, 52 mins, Bangladesh, 2022), a transcreation of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot (1953), available on Amazon Prime Video; Beckettree (visual poem, 3 mins, USA); and Entangled Currents (7 mins, 2025), a transcreation of Kevin Rittberger’s Two Suns and a Setting (Zwei Sonnen und ein Untergang).

I’m currently working with Black Camera: An International Film Journal as an assistant editor, with the City Lights Film Series IU Bloomington as one of the curators, and with the In Light Human Rights Documentary Film Festival (2026) as a co-director. My recent documentary films include Listen (52 mins, 2024); Truth, Power, and Freedom  (11 mins, 2025); and Cogito, Ergo Sum (11 mins, 2025). 

I’ve have also been teaching as an instructor (English Language Institute) at the University of Chicago (USA) since Summer 2024. Earlier, I worked at the University of Notre Dame (USA) as a visiting faculty member (EAP [English for Academic Purposes] program) from 2021–2023 and at Notre Dame University Bangladesh as an Assistant Professor (Department of English) from 2016–2021.

My current ambition is to develop “Nonhuman Archives: Teaching Climate Storytelling Through Absence and Ruins,” a digital humanities-based pedagogical platform that reimagines environmental education through multispecies storytelling, sensory media, and archival absence. Combining media arts, climate humanities, and posthuman pedagogy, the project invites students to document and analyze environmental trauma from the perspective of erasure, silence, and nonhuman memory.

Part A: Education

Ph.D. student, Media Arts and Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington (2023-2028)

M.A. in English Literature, Department of English, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2015

B.A. in English, Department of English, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2012

Part B: Grants and Awards

1. Best Graduate Creative Project for the Frances Goins Wilhoit Research and Creative Achievement Awards, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, Spring 2025
   Award: USD 250
2. Black Camera Travel Fund, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, Spring 2025
   Award: USD 500, SCMS Annual Conference 2025
3. Global Citizen Scholarship, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, Fall 2024
   Award: USD 7500
4. Cushman Memorial Scholarship Fund, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, Spring 2025, Award: USD 1000
5. Black Camera Travel Fund, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, Fall 2024
   Award: USD 500, Visible Evidence XXX in Melbourne, Australia in December 2024.
6. Cultural Studies Travel Award, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, Fall 2024
   Award: USD 500, Visible Evidence XXX in Melbourne, Australia in December 2024.
7. Michel Dupagne and Alyx Lin Graduate Travel Fund, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, Fall 2024, Visible Evidence XXX in Melbourne, Australia in December 2024, Award: USD 1,250
8. Hawkins Cinema and Media Studies Fellowship, Media School, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, Dec 8, Award: USD 1000
9. Center for Documentary Research and Practice Travel Award, Spring 2024, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, January 3 for Midwest Graduate Student Symposium in Film, Studies, University of Iowa (Feb 28, 2024)
   Award: USD 400
10. Center for Documentary Research and Practice Travel Award, Fall 2024, for Visible Evidence 2024 Conference, Melbourne, Australia (Dec 17-21, 2024), Award: USD 1000
11. Media School Graduate Association (MSGA) Travel Grant
    Spring 2024 [April 24, 2024], Amount: USD 100
12. Common Ground Conference 2024
    Best Paper Presentation Award [May 20, Spring 2024]. Amount: USD 65 [Runner-up]
13. IU Media School Conference Travel Award
    for University Film & Video Association Conference 2024 at Cleveland State University, July 29-August 2, 2024, Summer 2024
    Award: USD 600

Part C: Research Conferences

1. “Human and Nonhuman Intra-action in Le quattro volte,” Society for Cinema and Media Studies Annual Conference 2025, Chicago, April 4-6, 2025.
2. “Ecocritical Reading of Abderrahmane Sissako’s La vie sur terre and Heremakono,” Symposium in Honor of Byron Santangelo: Postcolonial Ecocriticism and Environmental Humanities, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, March 6-7, 2025.
3. “Thijs Biersteker’s Screen Eco-Art as ‘Arbo-Real’ Pedagogy and Publishing Practices,” Common Ground 2025, Indiana University Bloomington, USA , March 8, 2025.
4. “Silent Flutters: Eco-Aesthetics Bridging Human and Non-Human Worlds in Non-fiction,” Visible Evidence XXX, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, Dec 17-20, 2024.
5. “The Evolution of Paratexts in the Anthropocene in Bengal’s Visual Arts: Imag(in)ing Climate Change,” 2024 Film and Media Studies Graduate Student Conference at the University of Pittsburgh, PA, Sept. 21-22, 2024.
6. “Neo-Baroque as a Genre with Panismo Effect in Sorrentino’s Youth,” University Film and Video Association Conference 2024, Cleveland State University, Ohio, July 30-August 2.
7. The Story of Akin Adesokan (2024, 12 mins), 8th annual Common Ground Conference and Screening,  The Media School Graduate Association, IU Bloomington, April 2024.
8. “Cinema Sensorium and Ecocentric Reality in the Age of Anthropocene,” Midwest Graduate Student Symposium in Film Studies, University of Iowa, Feb 28, 2024.
9. “Glorifying Ecocide in Mainstream Cinema: A Cross-cultural Comparative Analysis of Selected American and Indian Films,” 2023 Orlando International Multidisciplinary Academic Conference, International Association of Applied Business Research (IAABR) and the Academic Organization for Advancement of Strategic and International Studies (Academic OASIS), SpringHill Suites by Marriott Orlando Lake Buena Vista in Marriott Village, Orlando, Florida, May  21–22, 2023.
10. “Popular Culture Versus Visual Arts: Redefined from the Lens of Censorship in Bangladesh,” 32nd International RAIS Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities, Research Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, Princeton University, The Erdman Center, 20 Library Place, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA, June 8-9, 2023.
11. “Eco-centric versus Anthropocentric Approach in Literary Pedagogy: Inclusion of Non-human Narratives as Teaching Social Justice,” Fostering a Community of Cultures through Intercultural Competence, Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA, Apr. 24-26, 2022.
12. “The ‘New Original’ through Cultural Translation: Kaafiron Ki Naamaz, the Journey of Pastiche from Postmodern Stage to Indian Cinema Screen,” Research Conference at University of BITS Pilani, Goa, India, Jan. 30-Feb. 2. 2019.
13. “Eco-conscious Approach in Hughesian Mythic Crow: The Rebel Non-Human Voice,” Thinkers’ and Writers’ Peace Conference 2019, Research  Conference by Internationa Society for Intercultural Studies and Research ISISAR), Kolkata, India, Dec. 28-30, 2019.
14. “Musical Translation Approach as the Magic Wand in the Pedagogy of Literature Translation in Bangladesh,” 2nd International Conference on Teaching and Learning, Center for Pedagogy, Independent University, Bangladesh, Research Conference by Independent University Bangladesh (IUB), Jun. 28, 2018.

Part D: Invited Talks/Workshops

1. “Presentation Strategies for Graduate Conference,” English Language Institute, University of Chicago, IL, USA, May 15, 2025.
2. Guest Lecture at Media Pedagogy Graduate class, Indiana University Bloomington, USA, April 21, 2025 [Instructor: Dr. Nicole Martins]
3. “Write, Revise, Refine: Practicing Academic Editing,” English Language Institute, University of Chicago, IL, USA, Feb 18, 2025.
4. “Hybrid Learning through Screen: Ed-Tech as Interactive New Media,” English Language Institute, University of Chicago, IL, USA, Nov 13 & 18, 2024.
5. “The Art of Academic Editing: Structuring Your Paper for Different Mediums,” English Language Institute, University of Chicago, IL, USA, Aug. 16 & 23, 2024.
6. “Writing an Abstract” Workshop by Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA, March 9, 2023
7. “Be Your Editor in Academic Writing: A Grammatical Approach,” Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA, Nov. 8, 2022
8. “Culturally Responsive Teaching: Teachers as Connectors and Cultural Translators,” Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA, Oct. 4, 2022
9. “Culturally Responsive Teaching: Awareness to Action,” Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures, University of Notre Dame, IN, USA, Nov. 18 & 30, 2022
10. “Moves in Academic Writing,” Notre Dame University Bangladesh Language Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Jul. 17, 2022
11. “Creative Writing in the New Age,” The Neotia University, Department of English, Exploring New Pedagogy in English and Mass Communication Lecture Series, Dec. 4, 2021
12. “Creative Practice and Impact on Mental Health,” NDUB Lockdown Fest 2020,  The Photographic Society of Notre Dame University Bangladesh, in collaboration with Notre Dame University Bangladesh Business Club (NDUBBC) and Notre Dame University Bangladesh English Club (NDUBEC), June 15, 2020 — July 16, 2020
13. “Eco-conscious Versus Ego-Conscious Approach in Literary Pedagogy,” NDUB Environmental Vanguard Award 2019,  Notre Dame University Bangladesh, Nov. 15, 2019
14. “Peace Film Festival 2019,” a 6-month-long film-making workshop organized by Manusher Jonno Foundation and Films4Peace Foundation at Shawkat Osman Auditorium, Public Library, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to July 2019
15. “Creative Writing and Storytelling Workshop,” a day-long workshop on Creative Writing and Storytelling organized by Notre Dame University Bangladesh English Club (NDUBEC), held at Notre Dame University premises on July 21, 2018

Part E: Pedagogical Training 

1. Canvas Spring Semester Start-Up: Teaching Well with Canvas
   at University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. Jan. 10, 11, and 12
2. “Designing Course in Canvas” (Fall 2022)
   by ND Learning & Kaneb Center, University of Notre Dame, USA
3. ND Learning and Kaneb Center on Teaching (Spring 2022)
   • Crafting Inclusive Syllabus Statements
   • Cultivating Attention in the Classroom
   • Creative Assignments and Assessments in Language and Culture Education
   • Integrative and Engaged Learning with ePortfolios
4. “Learning How to Support Alternative Assessment and Electronic Portfolios”
   & “Writing and Designing Teaching Philosophy Statement” (Fall 2021)
   by Maureen Hogan, Instructional Designer, CSLC, University of Notre Dame, USA
5. Active Learning and Educational Technology Training (Fall 2021)
   by ND Learning & Kaneb Center, University of Notre Dame, USA
   • Using Canvas to Implement Instructional Strategies
   • Interacting Meaningfully with Texts Using Perusall
   • Technology Tools to Enhance Learners’ Engagement
   • What Inclusive Instructors Do—Virtual Book Talk & Workshop with Tracie Addy
6. Collaborative Teaching and Learning Certificate Program (Fall 2021)
   by ND Learning & Kaneb Center, University of Notre Dame, USA
   • Promoting Social Justice through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
   • Aligning Strategic Learning Building Institutional Capacity
   • Decolonizing the Curriculum
   • Anti-racist Pedagogy
7. Academic Research, Publication & Teaching Skills
   North-South University, Department of English and Modern Languages, in collaboration with Stony Brook University, New York, USA, May 27-28.

Part F: Books Authored/Edited/Translated

1. “English Grammar SSC, Course Code 2652” for Secondary School Certificate Program, Bangladesh Open University Press, Jan. 2018 [Role: Author et al.]
2. “English Grammar HSC, Course Code 2852” for Higher Secondary Certificate Program, Bangladesh Open University Press, Jan. 2018 [Role: Author et al.]
3. “Theo 101,” a collection of poems, Antivirus Publication (Liverpool, England), Feb. 2015 [Role: Author]
4. “Cultural Columns: Traffic of Truth,” a collection of proses, Utso Prokashan (Bangladesh), Feb. 2015 [Role: Author]
5. “The Butterfly Effect,” an anthology of liberal arts, published by Blank Voices (Bangladesh), Sept. 2022 [Role: Editor]
6. “Critical Insights,” a peer-reviewed academic journal of the Department of English, Notre Dame University Bangladesh Press, Aug. 2022 [Role: Editor et al.]
7. “The Myriad of Meanings in Literary Culture Studies,” a peer-reviewed collection of proses, published by Blank Voices (Bangladesh), Mar. 2022 [Role: Editor & Author et al.]
8. “Sajjad Arefin’s Poesy Tales,” a collection of transcreated poems, published by  Blank Voices (Bangladesh), Dec. 2020 [Role: Editor & Translator]
9. “NDUB Research Journal,” a peer-reviewed academic journal, Notre Dame University Bangladesh Press, Dec. 2019 [Role: Editor et al.]
10. “Preema Donna: An Infinite Journey,” a book on Nazia Andaleeb Preema’s artworks and performances, published by Cosmos Books (Bangladesh), Nov. 2019 [Role: Editor & Author et al.]
11. “Potroput,” a bi-lingual poetry collection by Shakib Lohani, Onnodhara  Publications (Bangladesh), Feb. 2019 [Role: Editor & Translator et al.]
12. “Blue Sky,” a quarterly publication by Bangladesh Monitor for US Bangla Airlines, 2016 [Role: Editor & Author et al.]
13. “WIL,” a quarterly publication of Bangladesh Brand Forum and Women in Leadership, 2018-2020 [Role: Editor & Author et al.]

Part G: Released Films in Amazon Prime

1. A Tale of Night Flowers [Deho Station], 2014 [Role: Screenplay and Direction]
2. Reflection [Arshinagar], 2022 [Role: Screenplay, Direction, Editing]
3. Listen, 2024 [Role: Screenplay, Direction, Editing, Camera, Lyrics]

Part H: Book Chapters/Reviews

1. “Decrowning Postmodern Protagonists from Page, Stage, and Screen: A Critical Approach to Theoretical Historiography.” Strands of Cultural Historicism: Beyond Ideational Margin, Edited by Aaloy Gangopadhyay et. al., published by Gyan Darpan, Kolkata, India, December 2022
2.  “A Pedagogical Overview of Culturally Responsive Teaching for English Literature International Undergraduates.” The Myriad of Meanings in Literary Culture Studies, Edited by Ahmed Tahsin Shams, Koel Mitra, and Avik Gangopadhyay, published by Blank Voices (Bangladesh), Mar. 2022
3. “A Breathtaking Manuscript of Revenge in Nocturnal Animals by Tom Ford.” Dhaka Tribune, Oct. 2017
4. “A. S. Byatt’s Possession: A Romance.” Ashvamegh Indian Journal of English Literature, Chatto & Windus, Apr. 2016
5. “Protagonist as Intruder into Religion in Wole Soyinka’s The Road: Reflection on the Hidden Theological Class-War.” The Daily Observer, Bangladesh, Apr. 2015
6. “Margin Takes over the Centre: Readers Becoming Authors in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard.” The Daily Observer, Bangladesh, May. 2015
7. “Jatiswar by Srijit Mukherji: A Musical Tribute to Anthony Firingee.” Dhaka Tribune, Bangladesh, Nov. 2014

Part I: Nonfiction Proses 

1. “’E’ For Education, ‘M’ for Misery.” The Daily Observer, The Daily Observer Press, 18 Oct. 2017.
2. “Dhaka: The City of Paradoxes.” The Daily Observer, The Daily Observer Press, 29 Oct. 2017.
3. “Suicidal Tales and the Whales Around.” The Daily Observer, The Daily Observer Press, 22 Oct. 2017, https://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=101647.
4. “Literature: Potato in the Curry of Career.” The Daily Observer, The Daily Observer Press, 7 Sept. 2017.
5. “Thoughts on Genocide.” The Daily Observer, The Daily Observer Press, 2017,
6. “No More Gender-Genocide!” The Daily Observer, The Daily Observer Press, 11 May 2017

Part J: Research Publications

1. “Glorifying Ecocide in Cinematic Trends Versus Voicing Ecocritical Aesthetics.” SCHOLARS: Journal of Arts & Humanities, Nepal, vol. 06, no. 02, August 15, 2024, pp. 65-78.
2. “Dissent under Siege: Case Studies of Repression in the Digital Era of Bangladesh.” Advances in Journalism and Communication, vol. 12, no. 01, 29 Mar. 2024, pp. 207–230, https://doi.org/10.4236/ajc.2024.121011.
3. “Eco-centric versus Anthropocentric Approach in Literary Pedagogy: Inclusion of Non-human Narratives as Teaching Social Justice.” Global Journal of Human Social Sciences, vol. 22, no. A9, Nov. 01, 2022, pp. 1-9.
4. “Representation of Family Members in D. H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers and Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis: A Comparative Study of Dehumanization.” Bangladesh University of Professionals, December 28, 2022
5. “A Transcultural Study of Kaafiron Ki Namaaz: A New Discourse of ‘The Hermeneutic Motion’ as an Adaptation Theory.” International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research, vol.9, No. 9, Sept. 2022, pp. B504-b512.
6. “Theoretical Insights on Culturally Responsive Pedagogy in the USA and Bangladesh.” International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, vol. 11, no. 9, Sept. 2022, pp. 68-71.
7. “Identity Economics in Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights: An Empathetic Inquiry into Psychoanalysis.” Scholars: Journal of Arts & Humanities, Tribhuvan University of Nepal, vol. 4, no. 2, Sept. 2022, pp. 74–80.
8. “Musical Translation Approach (MTA) for Cognitive Learning in Translation Studies Pedagogy in Bangladesh.” International Journal of Social Science and Humanities, vol. 10, no. 3, Sept. 2022, pp. 391-398.
9. “Primordialism and Constructivism:  A Critical Study of Boundaries in Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things.” International Journal of Research and Analytical Reviews, vol. 9, no. 3, Sept. 2022, pp. 191-194.
10. “Ecologized Humanity Versus Humanized Ecology: Critical Approach to Camera Narratives in Cinematic Art.” International Journal Online of Humanities (IJOHMN), vol. 8, no. 4, Aug. 2022, pp. 1-15.

Part K: Media Coverage

1. “Global Citizen Scholarship,” IU Bloomington.
2. “On Filmmaking Journey,” The Daily Kaler Kantho, Sept 24, 2022
3. “Film Released on Amazon Prime,” Bangladesh Post, August 3, 2022
4. Interviewed by Notre Dame, Indiana, Sept 15, 2021
5. Workshop on Storytelling for Promoting Inclusive Governance through Films, The Daily Sun, Oct 14, 2018
6. Black Camera, Assistant Editor team
7. Common Ground Conference
8. Facing the Facade Documentary Project 2024
9. “Dreaming on the Outside: Symposium on the Theater and Performance” in the Anthropocene, Sept 13, 2024.
10. City Lights Film Series, co-curator

Part L: Film Festival Screening

1. Max Sir International Film Festival, Ministry of Education of Ukraine as part of the
   “Cinema to Schools” project. Selected Film: The Ecolution
   Event: Dec 2024-April 2025
2. Detroit Trinity International Film Festival. USA. Selected Film: Kukusanya [a chapter of Listen], Event: July 18, 2024
3. Killeen Black Art and Film Festival. Selected Film: The Story of Akin Adesokan
   Event: July 27, 2024, Killeen, TX, USA
4. Dos Lagos Film Festival, Hollywood, CA, USA. Selected Film: Arshinagar [Reflection]
   Event: Oct 21, 2022.
5. Synergy Film Festival, LA, California, USA. Selected Film: Arshinagar [Reflection]
   Event: Sept. 30, 2022
6. Indus Valley International Film Festival (IVIFF), Season 5, India. Selected Film: Arshinagar [Reflection], Event: Sept. 26, 2022
7. Swadeshi Short Film Festival 2017. Award: Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay
   Film Name: Freedom of Silence (10mins). Organizer: Swadeshi Film Society, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
8. Shadhinotar Golpey Cinema Banai (Event Title Trans. in English: Making Films on Freedom). Award: 2nd Runner-up as Film Director. Film Name: Freedom of Silence (10mins)
   Organizer: Bangla Communications and BDSHORTS, Bangladesh
9. Green Freedom Short Film Competition. Champion (as a Team, Role: Creative Advisor). Film Name: Tree-Mate, 5mins
   Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Bangladesh, Nov. 20, 2016
10. Dos Lagos Film Festival, Category: Official Selection, Dos Lagos Film Fest, Name: Arshinagar [Reflection], 7190 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 300, Hollywood, CA 90046, October 21, 2022